Continuous Repetitiveness

I've got a headache...

Continuous repetitiveness is my kryptonite...at work or just in my daily life.  Which is probably the reason I'm currently not in a relationship or retired from one job,  that been doing for 40 years of my life. I can't handle it. Even in everyday life, if I get into a continuous repetitive situation, I can feel myself losing it. That's one of the reasons I was in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. When you work in that industry, no two days are ever the same...and I enjoyed that. It's the same with drawing. Either creating a new drawing or especially drawing event caricatures. One might think that sitting for two or three hours drawing caricatures is constant repetitiveness, however I disagree. I believe each caricature and each person you're drawing is unique. In fact, the part I love most about drawing at my events, is getting to know these unique individuals. I use this knowledge I obtain, when I create their caricature. You see, I'm not only drawing the face I'm looking at, I also try to capture the unique personality behind that face. Of course, because I have a limited amount of time to draw each caricature, I have to capture this personality and put it on paper  within 5 to 7 minutes. Believe it or not, I can learn quite a lot in 5 to 7 minutes...and I usually capture their personality within the first minute.

As I was drinking my coffee this morning, I watched a mini-documentary (or maybe it was just a news segment) on YouTube.  It was about the company, Amazon and their takeover of the shopping and delivery industry (at least that's what I gathered from the segment). It was titled something like, "How Amazon Delivers Your Packages Overnight ". However there was much more to this story than the title lead you to believe (whether that was intentional or just my inner conspiracy theorist, talking to me).The show appeared under "recommended" viewing on my YouTube account (or that's what they'd have you believe). I'm sure this was intentional, because lately I've been binge watching, dead mall exploring on YouTube.  Obviously,  one of the reasons malls are closing (and for that matter, retail stores in general i.e.Sears, Kmart, Macy's, Toys R Us....) is Amazon and to a lesser extent, other online retail shopping. But Amazon is 800 pound gorilla...or is it?? I dont think so, I believe the real mall and retail killer is lazy consumerism...and our 800 pound fat butt culture. We love to plant those fat butts, in front of our computers and shop online. It's much easier than getting dressed, combing your hair, brushing your teeth, driving to the store (or the mall) and visiting Sears (you better hurry though, soon you won't be able to visit Sears...THEY'RE DISAPPEARING!!!). Jeff Bezos and his minions at Amazon are not the problem, they're just making our laziness much easier and more convenient. If were going to blame Mr. Bezos for our laziness, let's not forget Ray Kroc, Henry Ford and Ms. Elizabeth McPhearson - Ophelia (she invents time travel, 187 years from now).

Where is this all headed? Watch the animated film, Wall - E. It’s 2008's, 1984.

Now I'm going to go online and order some aspirin.

Till next time!

Thank You Stan and Babe

I believe the genesis of my humor derives mostly from three sources, Looney Tunes, Seattle legend J.P. Patches and Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. I inhaled these legends, directly from the television, into my consciousness, out through my hands and onto paper. The results you can see in my artwork. Of course, a good measure of Al Hirschfeld and Bob McCausland (Google him, he was a Seattle Post Intelligencer Cartoonist) thrown in as well. So that mixture, of those legends, resulted in what you see today...

I was first introduces to Laurel and Hardy from J.P. Patches. (If you were a child growing up in the Seattle area, from 1958 to 1981, at some point in time J.P Patches was a fixture on your television set. Even my children, who were too young to watch him, know the Legend of J.P. Patches). Anyways...as I was saying, J.P. Patches introduced me to Stan and Babe.

As I recall, J.P. would have either show cartoons or Laurel and Hardy shorts in between the comedy skits on his show. If I remember correctly, the cartoons included, George of the Jungle and Super Chicken (Bonus!) and probably more. When J.P. first introduced me to Stan and Babe, I was immediately captivated,  not unlike the first time I heard, Bennie  and the Jets (specifically...I was in my Aunt Donna's apartment with my cousins...), like that song, the film was unlike anything I'd encountered in that medium before. However, unlike the song, the film (I believe it was Laurel and Hardy's1935 short, Tit for Tat), was produced 26 years prior to my birth! That tells you the enduring value and genius of their comedies. Still today, fans across the globe love and adore Stan and Babe, their films and their contributions to our society.  I am one of thousands (probably millions) who love Stan and Babe, their films and the laughter they brought into this world.

Win - Win - Win!

Greetings! As you may have noticed, I've opened an online store (Michael  Hopkins Original Art) to sell my original art.

Now that I have decided that my emphasis should be on my pen & ink drawings (read my last blog), I concluded (after a deep discussion with myself) that I needed an online presence that would focus specifically on my art, as opposed to relying on Fine Art America (which has thousands of artists), to do it for me. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with Fine Art America, in fact it's quite the opposite. I love the fact that I can offer prints of my work to the public, through them, at a lower cost than what I would pay to produce my own prints and then sell  them. Also, this allows me to offer prints of my work for sale, at a much lower cost than what I charge for my original pieces. As Michael Scott would say,

Anyways...Please visit my online store and let me know what you think. I will be adding new originals for sale on a regular basis and offering some suprises!

Oh and another thing...Did you catch the first flight of the Boeing 777x this past weekend? It was awe inspiring... a magnificent airplane! I've added the CNET YouTube video below (hope they don't mind).

Enjoy your Monday!

I Love Good Cookies

I am a Caricaturist.

No, this blog is not about self discovery (I already know I'm a Caricaturist) it's more about realization and maybe a little frustration.  I guess I could compare myself to an actor who is very successful making comedy movies, however he wants to do Shakespeare. So he try's it and although he receives critical acceptance,  he goes back to making successful comedies. The reason is simple, you can buy much better cookies with a successful box office comedy than you can with a half empty theater, albeit critically acclaimed Shakespearean performance.

My William Shakespeare is Bill Watterson.  His comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes,  was (in my world) Romeo and Juliet. His work inspired me to create my webcomic. Missed Approach and the reason I'll probably continue to struggle creatively between my webcomic and my caricatures. Why, you might ask, do I struggle creatively when I'm so inspired by the art of Bill Watterson?? Well, two reasons. First reason, i love good cookies. Secondly, I hold one artist in higher regard than Bill Watterson...that man is the late, Al Hirschfeld.

If you don't know his genius, look him up (or watch the 1996 documentary, The Line King). I consider Mr. Hirschfeld's creations in the same realm as an Vincent Van Gogh's creations. He is the reason I draw caricatures,...that and the fact that I love good cookies.

The struggle continues...

Questions...

I have to wonder🤔...

Does anyone care about webcomics? I think I've created a damn good one in my webcomic, Missed Approach.

However, when examining the stats, I'm not seeing any interest in it. As opposed to what you're reading right now, The Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog, whos' stats tell me there's a great deal of interest in this blog (and that interest increases daily). This brings me to a conundrum that I've faced before, do I continue producing more, Missed Approach's or am I wasting my time and should instead use that time instead, to focus more on this blog?

There's so much more I'd like to do with this blog, however time is infinite and I spend a lot of that time, producing my webcomic. So there's the conundrum.

What would I like to do with this bog (you ask)? Well, let me tell ya...One idea that's always been at the top of my list is to travel to different events throughout the spring and summer, drawing caricatures and bring you with me via this blog and maybe my seldom used YouTube channel (iamscribbles).

Another idea is to write in this blog on a daily basis to see if that translates into a larger audience.

Even another idea, is to use this blog to record my journey to the 2020 Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon. Yes, that's right, I made a resolution to run that marathon this year and I'm gonna make  it happen...besides I really need to get into better shape (my body tell me that every morning). Hopfully then, I could use this blog, not only just to entertain, but to also inspire others to chase their dreams.

Finally,  I'm exploring photography and would also like that adventure with you, via this blog.

So there you have it! As I stated previously, time is infinite and I can hear it ticking...

May the force be with you..

2000

Happy New Year and greetings from Reno Tahoe Airport (yes, I'm fueling jets on New Year's Day). I guess technically it's called Reno/Tahoe International Airport...but the only International flight I see here is a daily dose of Volaris Airline, I believe it arrives from Mexico...

The unusual thing is, everytime I seen Volaris Airline arrive I have this overwhelming, urge to break into song, namely the tune, Volare.  Of course the song was made famous by Dean Martin, however I sound more like Tony Clifton, who was occasionally, Andy Kaufman (or was he and is he still alive???)

I guess that's one of the great conspiracy  theories of my generation. Maybe Andy and Elvis are hanging out somewhere this morning, hung over from last nights celebration, drinking coffee and laughing at us all. It's a nice thought.

Which brings me to my New Years Resolutions. I usually don't stick to them, however this year I'm gonna try. So here's the list (in no particular order).

• Start creating my webcomic, "Missed Approach" again.
• Visit Elvis's home, Graceland.
• See The Killers and Thom Yorke perform in person.
• Find a relationship and keep it forever (hopefully).
• Write more often in my blog (good start, eh?)
• Oh yea...and get into shape. I've been think about photographing myself everyday and seeing how I progress. If I do, I'll share them on this blog

So what do you think? Have you made any resolutions? If so, let me know. 

Talk to you soon.

Goodbye 2019

Two days to go, until we say goodbye to 2019 forever! Good riddance! I’m looking forward to 2020 like no other year before. Many things happening in 2020, the Presidential election, the 2020 Winter Olympics and I get my Batmobile back (long story, I explain in the future)

Most importantly is the return of my critically acclaimed (well, slightly acclaimed by a few), webcomic, Missed Approach!

That’s right folks,Captain James P. Kurt, First Officer Dan Doodles and the entire crew are returning for 2020! Ready to be amazed at how far I cross the line with my irreverent humor and complete lack of respect for all of the overly sensitive issues of the day?? Then fasten those seatbelts and place your tray tables in their upright locked positions..and hang on! Missed Approach is back January 1st! 

Also, due to the return of Missed Approach, were kinda going to drop one resolution already...and that is daily Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog entries. We’re going to replace that  with many new Missed Approach episodes. Unfortunately, due to the fact that also fuel airlines for 8 hours a day, that doesn't leave as much time in the day, for blogging, creating a webcomic and drawing caricatures (at home and on the road). So until I can afford to give up the day job, sacrifices need to be made. Unfortunately, the blog is going to take a backseat to the webcomic. I’ll still blog (and probably more than I did in 2019) , but we’re gonna place the emphasis on the webcomic. However, I’m sure you’ll enjoy both and I have many big plans for, Missed Approach!

Below is my latest caricatures. It’s my interpretation of one of my favorite Instagram people. Her Instagram name is @dazey_duck.

Besides being very easy on the eyes, she’s also a very talented Artist from my home city of Reno, Nevada. Be sure to follow her on Instagram and if you do, tell her @iamscribbles sent ya! 

Have a great rest of your night and pray for the Seattle Seahawks. The way they were looking tonight when I turned off the television, they're gonna need it.